Published: 1/31/2023 9:16:30 PM
Modified: 1/31/2023 9:16:19 PM
NORTHAMPTON — A city teen pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges relating to a double stabbing outside Meadowbrook Apartments in August.
Jesus Baez, 18, was sentenced to two years in the Hampshire County Jail with nine months to be served and the remainder to be suspended for two years while Baez remains on probation.
Baez was arrested on two counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon (knife) resulting in serious bodily injury after Baez stabbed two men, ages 18 and 19, in the abdomen at Meadowbrook. Both stabbing victims were taken to Cooley Dickinson Hospital and later transferred to Baystate Medical Center in critical condition, although both later recovered from their injuries.
Judge James McKenna delivered the sentencing for Baez, after hearing recommendations from Northwestern First Assistant District Attorney Steven Gagne, who recommended two years in prison, and defense attorney Thomas Glynn, who recommended a sentence of probation. McKenna decided on a middle path, sentencing Baez to two years but suspending the sentence in favor of probation.
As a condition of his probation, Baez must stay away from and have no contact with the victims, attend and complete an anger management course, and attend the Community Justice Support Center in Springfield.
The case was investigated by the Northampton Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Northwestern district attorney’s office.
Alexander MacDougall can be reached at amacdougall@gazettenet.com.